Meeting New People

Miscommunication happens every day. So it was no surprise when it happened to me. This morning, while I was still in my pajamas, I heard a knock on my door and found a sister, who introduced herself as Sister Peace. Sister Peace is also a nurse and works at the hospital I will be working at. She also lives at the convent close to my house. She told me that she had come to take me to the hospital. I told her that the Vicar General had told me yesterday that he was going to pick me up himself at 11:30. She told me that the Vicor General had told her that she was the one to pick me up. As quickly as I could, I rushed to dress and clean myself. The driver, Stevie, Sister Peace and I crammed into the front seat and we drove to Holy Spirit Hospital. Sister Peace introduced me to the head nurse, Sister Juliana. She brought me to the resident doctor, Dr. Patrick Turay, and a nurse manager, Sister Nora. Dr. Turay told me that I should not hesitate to ask questions while working at the hospital and to be patient with myself because I was now going to be working in a new culture. I appreciated his words.

Sister Nora then took me on a small tour of the hospital. I asked her when I would see the bishop. She said she didn’t know and asked me what the Vicar General had said. I told her that I thought he was going to take me there himself, but I guess I had misunderstood. Sister Nora called the Vicor General himself to ask. He told her that I was supposed to still be at my house and he was going to send a car for me at 11:30! Classic miscommunication.

Everything worked out all right though. I visited with Sister Nora while we waited for the driver. Turns out she’s from Kenya! And the sisters who live near me are a Nigerian order. I didn’t expect there to be so many different people from all different parts of Africa here!

Later, I was brought to the parsonage headquarters where I got to see Father John again, this time at his work. I also met the current chief of the local tribe who was visiting Father John that day. The Vicor General brought Bishop Bob John (named after Bob Marely) to meet me. If I thought Father John’s greeting at the airport had been warm, it was nothing compared to the Bishop’s. He took my hand in both of his, looked me in the eyes with a wide smile and said, “Welcome, welcome, Sally. I am so happy that you have come at last.” It was the sincerest and kindest greeting I have ever received. He led me to his office and asked after my sister Mary. He had been told that she had been sick in the hospital with pneumonia, and he had been praying for her and our family. I thanked him for his thoughtfulness. Our meeting made me feel so glad that I had come to Makeni. The bishop told me that my presence here showed people that we are connected. That we are not just African Christians or American Christians. But we are all Christians. We are all part of one family. He told me how much he appreciated that I had sacrificed so much to come here: my family, my friends. He wanted to make sure I was well cared for while I stay in Sierra Leone. That meeting gave me a new feeling of belonging.  I also got to meet Father Joe Turay, Dr. Turay’s brother, who Janice had known during her mission stay in Sierra Leone. Bishop Bob made sure that I had some more food at my house and Father John got me a new tea kettle. I am so happy that I will be working under Bishop Bob. He seems to be a very kind man. I can see why he became a bishop because he is so friendly, and people oriented. I enjoyed meeting him so much. I know that he is a very busy man, so I probably won’t see him a lot, but I hope I get to see more of him occasionally.

After meeting the bishop was finished, Vicar General Dominic drove me to a canteen at the University of Makeni for lunch. I was served a chicken leg and some very spicy rice. I felt bad I didn’t eat more but the heat has started to affect me. I don’t really want to eat large meals when I’m feeling so hot. I’m sweating so much and it gets worse if I move too much. Shout out to Kendra Harrison for suggesting Carpe Anti-Face Sweat cream and another shout out to Tia Virgina and Uncle Joe for Anti-Chaffing body sticks! Both help SO much.

The rest of the day I just rested at my house. It feels nice getting to know where I’m going to live and finding places for all my stuff. It’s also kind of fun when the power goes out. I get to use my solar powered lamp and fan (shout to Katie and John Miller).

Every day is an adventure. I wonder what tomorrow will bring. God bless!